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A review by northernbooknerd
Sinner by Sierra Simone
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
My Thoughts
This book made me cry, I was not expecting to cry! I didn't love the first book in this series (Priest) because I was finding it different to care much about the characters, but the same was NOT true with Zenobia and Sean.
I read this as an audiobook and personally think this is the best way to consume this story as the narration is PERFECTION.
Review
What I liked:
Obviously the spice in this book is exceptionally well written, probably the best I’ve read to date. But what makes it even better is the important topics that are discussed and addressed throughout the book. It adds further emotional depth to the story, characters, and their relationships. Between the beautiful writing and perfect narration I’m genuinely afraid spice in future books I read will be dull and disappointing. One of my favourite discussions between the MCs was around the construct of virginity, it wasn't something I'd given much thought to but it really stuck with me.
Zenobia (Zenny) was probably my favourite character. While she was naive in certain aspects, it never took away from her being a strong, independent, determined, intelligent, daring, and interesting person. I related to her natural curiousity and strive for her level of compassion and caring towards others.
What I liked most about Sean, besides how deeply he cared for Zenny and his family, was his ability to self reflect. He took the time to evaluate his feelings and emotions, questioning himself and admitting to the flaws he discovered. Being flawed is not inherently bad, it’s human, and what’s more important is what we do when we learn about flaws or faults that are harmful, this is a way in which we grow. And of course, similar to many fictional men written by women Sean is 100% swoon worth.
What I disliked:
Similar to Priest the romance was a bit insta lovey, but not to the point where it pulled me from the story. The ending also felt rushed to me, but these seems to be fairly common in romance novels.
Not a fault of the book, and I will admit it is incorporated really well into these books, but I personally still struggled to relate to certain religious aspects and at times that pulls me from the story. To be honest I think my abundant enjoyment of this book in spite of my personal feelings on religion is a testament to the author and her writing.
Final Thoughts
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's characters, plot/discussions, and most of all the writing. Very much excited to continue the series and learn more about the third Bell brother, Aiden.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5)
Who would like? Anyone who has read and enjoyed book one in this series or if you're looking for an extremely well written romance filled with emotions.
Triggers
Sexual content, death of parent, death of child (mentioned), suicide (mentioned), racism, medical content.
** This list is not extensive**
Tropes
Friends to lovers, best friends sister, insta love, unknown identity, taboo romance (relationship with a nun), age gap, public sex, man falls first, interracial couple, millionaire, well written spice
This book made me cry, I was not expecting to cry! I didn't love the first book in this series (Priest) because I was finding it different to care much about the characters, but the same was NOT true with Zenobia and Sean.
I read this as an audiobook and personally think this is the best way to consume this story as the narration is PERFECTION.
Review
What I liked:
Obviously the spice in this book is exceptionally well written, probably the best I’ve read to date. But what makes it even better is the important topics that are discussed and addressed throughout the book. It adds further emotional depth to the story, characters, and their relationships. Between the beautiful writing and perfect narration I’m genuinely afraid spice in future books I read will be dull and disappointing. One of my favourite discussions between the MCs was around the construct of virginity, it wasn't something I'd given much thought to but it really stuck with me.
Zenobia (Zenny) was probably my favourite character. While she was naive in certain aspects, it never took away from her being a strong, independent, determined, intelligent, daring, and interesting person. I related to her natural curiousity and strive for her level of compassion and caring towards others.
What I liked most about Sean, besides how deeply he cared for Zenny and his family, was his ability to self reflect. He took the time to evaluate his feelings and emotions, questioning himself and admitting to the flaws he discovered. Being flawed is not inherently bad, it’s human, and what’s more important is what we do when we learn about flaws or faults that are harmful, this is a way in which we grow. And of course, similar to many fictional men written by women Sean is 100% swoon worth.
What I disliked:
Similar to Priest the romance was a bit insta lovey, but not to the point where it pulled me from the story. The ending also felt rushed to me, but these seems to be fairly common in romance novels.
Not a fault of the book, and I will admit it is incorporated really well into these books, but I personally still struggled to relate to certain religious aspects and at times that pulls me from the story. To be honest I think my abundant enjoyment of this book in spite of my personal feelings on religion is a testament to the author and her writing.
Final Thoughts
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's characters, plot/discussions, and most of all the writing. Very much excited to continue the series and learn more about the third Bell brother, Aiden.
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(4.5)
Who would like? Anyone who has read and enjoyed book one in this series or if you're looking for an extremely well written romance filled with emotions.
Triggers
** This list is not extensive**
Tropes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Medical content and Suicide